We’re hitting the unofficial start of summer and the weather has just begun to heat up, so we’re thinking it’s time to light the barbecue and cook over live fire alfresco. And since it is not too hot yet, we’re still drinking big, juicy reds to match with our favorite cuts of beef, pork, and lamb. In addition to some bold California wines to pair with well-marbled cuts of beef, offer your guests something off the beaten track like Grenache or Tempranillo from Spain, whose fruit and spice flavors are always a good match with ribs or brisket. Or why not open an Italian Brunello Di Montalcino or Barolo if you’re looking for something with lower tannins? And we’ll never disagree about a high-altitude Malbec from Argentina to pair with Jeff’s favorite steak, ojo de bife, which translates as “eye of beef” and is the tenderest boneless ribeye you’ll ever sink your teeth into. If you’re a Kansas style rib or pulled pork sandwich lover, you’re in for a treat when you try it with a sweet dessert wine, so don’t fret, whatever you like to grill we’ve got you covered. Here are seven amazing wines to kick off the grilling season.
-
Tenuta Cucco 2018 Bricco Voghera Barolo Serralunga d’ Alba Piedmont Italy
This single cru Barolo from Piedmont is made from 100 percent Nebbiolo grapes grown in Bricco Voghera in Serralunga d’Alba. The chalk and clay soils produce excellent fruit that is destemmed and crushed, then allowed to ferment for three days in small vats before starting gentle pump overs for 30 days of skin contact. The 2018 has excellent ruby, garnet color from the extended skin contact and aromas of tobacco leaf, purple flowers, and candied orange peel. It is well balanced with soft tannins and flavors of crushed violet petals, ripe black plum, and vanilla with a touch of fennel frond in the long, long, finish.
Perfect Pairing: Grilled pork chops
Buy Now: $92
-
Brue Skok Cellars 2018 Geography Lesson Sonoma California
Former Wall Street lawyer Erik Brue and winemaker Timothy Skok joined forces a few years ago to produce limited-quantity wines in Sonoma County. They focus on the county’s unique terroirs and hand pick grapes from cool climate vineyards and only make about 1,000 cases of wine per year including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Their 2018 Geography Lesson is a proprietary Bordeaux style blend with grapes sourced from Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, and Sonoma Valley. It is garnet colored with aromas of blackberry, red plum, and brown baking spice with soft, rounded tannins and flavors of cassis, black plum, and dried Mediterranean herbs.
Perfect Pairing: Tomahawk steak
Buy Now: $85
-
Carpineto 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
The Sacchet and Zaccheo families founded Carpineto in 1967. Their original winery is located in Greve in Chianti and today their holdings consist of over 1,200 acres spread out over five estates in Brunello di Montalcino, Aldo Valdarno, Maremma, Chianti Classico, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Their 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is ruby colored with aromas of red plum, freshly picked mint, and cherry pipe tobacco. It is bold and expressive in the mouth with powdery tannins and flavors of black plum, cherry, and red currant.
Perfect Pairing: Grilled portabellos
Buy Now: $66
-
Bodega Colomé 2015 Altura Maxima Malbec Calchaqui Valley Argentina
Originally founded in 1831 Bodega Colomé is currently owned by the Switzerland-based Hess family who are well known for fine wine production in Argentina as well as South Africa and Napa Valley. Bodega Colomé is considered the oldest winery in Argentina and since its inception has dedicated itself to exploration of wines made from high-altitude vines. Their current winemaker is French-born Thibaut Delmotte, who is putting a welcome French spin on Argentine Malbec. His 2015 Altura Maxima Malbec is inky purple colored with aromas of blueberry, blackberry, violet petals, and freshly ground white pepper. It has a broad mid palate with generous acidity and flavors of cassis, white chocolate, and vanilla.
Perfect Pairing: Ojo de bife—boneless ribeye
Buy Now: $170
-
Bodegas Alto Moncoyo 2017 Aquilon Grenache Campo de Borja Spain
Alto Moncoyo is in the little-known wine region of Campo de Borja in central Spain.
The region is known for big, bold, and juicy wines made from Garnacha, which many of us know as Grenache. The winemaking team sources grapes from 300 acres of native vines planted in red clay and slate soils. Rather than using a trellis growing system the team follows local tradition and grows vines in a controlled bush-vine shape. The 2017 Aquilon is aged in oak for 24 months before bottling and has aromas of black licorice, cassis, and just a touch of finely powdered dark cocoa. It is juicy at first sip and offers pleasantly grippy tannins and flavors of boysenberry, candied orange peel, and black plum.
Perfect Pairing: NY strip steak
Buy Now: $180
-
Portia 2020 Summa Ribera del Duero Spain
The building that houses Bodegas Portia was designed by Sir Norman Foster to resemble a three-pointed star and is named for one of Uranus’ moons. Located in Gumiel de Izán, the winery is owned by the Martínez Zabala Family and is one of the most visited in Ribera del Duero. Their 2020 Summa comes from a single vineyard and is garnet colored in the glass. It has aromas of black currant, mocha, and freshly harvested mushrooms and flavors of cassis, blackberry, violet petals, coffee, and dried sage with plush, elegant tannins and a long, long, finish.
Perfect Pairing: Grilled skirt steak
Buy Now: $135
-
Poggio Mori 2016 Vin Santo del Chianti Tuscany Italy
Vincenzo Poerio was formerly the CEO of Benetti Yachts but in 2006 he decided to move to the country, live in a healthier environment, and make wine. He and his family renovated an old farmhouse and converted it to an elegant country manor that can accommodate up to 20 people. The estate was mainly planted with Sangiovese, but in 2007 Vincenzo brought in winemaking consultant Andrea Franchetti who began replanting with Bordeaux varieties. The estate makes five different red wines, but we were excited to pair their Vinsanto del Chianti, a sweet wine made from white varieties, with barbecue ribs and pulled pork sandwiches—it was a match made in heaven. The aromas and flavors of roasted hazelnuts, dried apricot, and sweet yellow peach were an excellent pairing with the slightly sweet barbecue sauce. And of course, if you’re not a barbecue sauce lover, the wine matches well with hard cheeses and custard desserts.
Perfect Pairing: Pork ribs, pulled pork, flan, crème brûlée
Buy Now: $38
